LEHIGHTON -- More than a dozen people were forced out when fire tore through their homes and it happened the day before Thanksgiving.

Authorities believe the fire started on the porch of a double-block home on North 2nd Street in Lehighton.

The fire damaged four homes and now 18 people need to find new places to stay.

Authorities are still looking for a cause but are calling this fire suspicious.

It all happened just before 3 a.m. No one was hurt but authorities believe the fire started on the porch of the home that belongs to Dennis Miller.

"I ran down and opened the door," said Miller. "The guy said my porch was on fire. I ran back in and got my dogs out the back. I couldn't find no cats and by the time I got to the front living room again, the whole thing was in flames."

Investigators are not saying what sparked the flames but state police fire marshals and a K9 unit out of Scranton were all here to help look for a cause.

Officials believe fire in Lehighton started on the porch of this double home on N 2nd St. Considered suspicious &under investigation @WNEPpic.twitter.com/d0S9CP6iLn

Everyone was able to get out safely but now 18 people need to find new places to stay.

Investigators are not saying what sparked the flames but state police fire marshals are here taking pictures and going through the rubble along with a K9 unit.

We spoke to one of the fire victims who called for help.

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"I smelled smoke when I woke up to go to work," Jason Wisor recalled. "I searched my whole house looking for whatever it was and I walked out front and I seen the guy's front porch was on fire and I immediately called 911."

By the time fire crews got to the scene, the fire had quickly spread from the porch to the inside of the double-block home. The house sustained most of the damage but homes on both sides were also damaged.

"Yeah, it's a mess," said neighbor Joseph McDonough. "I woke up about 3:30 a.m. stepped outside and saw the fire. It's a shame."

While everyone was able to get out safely, 18 people need to find new places to stay.

The Red Cross was called in to help those families in need.

"Everything at this point is considered unlivable so we will be following up with the families, providing that financial support for basic needs, food, clothing, shelter, lodging all of those things," said Michele Baehr, Red Cross Pocono Mountains.